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Unit of competency details

ACMADT501 - Plan and conduct assistance dog training in specific and complex tasks (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 16/Jul/2022

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Unit of competency Assessment requirements

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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  16/Sep/2022 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 6.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and conduct training for assistance dogs to perform specific and complex tasks.

This unit applies to individuals who conduct individual sessions to train assistance dogs in desirable behaviours for domestic and public access environments. These individuals analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of skilled activities to develop and communicate solutions for a range of dog specific and complex behavioural goals.

All work must be carried out to comply with Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

ACMADT403 Train dogs using operant and classical conditioning techniques

Unit Sector

Assistance Dog Training (ADT)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Develop

training plan for assistance dogs

1.1 Research and identify legislative and codes of practice requirements including biosecurity, workplace health and safety and animal welfare for conducting dog training sessions

1.2 Research training requirements for specific and complex dog training

1.3 Determine appropriate training strategies for assistance dogs based on current scientifically validated animal learning theory and methodology and the needs of the handler

1.4 Prepare and sequence session training plans to achieve measurable goals to train assistance dogs in specific and complex tasks

1.5 Access suitable venue to conduct sessions based on safety and availability

1.6 Assess health and safety risks and take appropriate actions

2. Prepare to train assistance dogs

2.1 Gather background information about assistance dog age, behavioural suitability or training concerns in a session

2.2 Ascertain if the assistance dogs have undergone basic training and are ready to undergo more complex training

2.3 Select, check and ensure the handler uses appropriate equipment for the assistance dog and themselves

2.4 Identify suitable assistance dog behaviour training techniques, focusing on positive rewards-based reinforcement that is force-free and fear-free, while incorporating negative punishment and the underpinning theoretical principles of dog training

3. Conduct task-based assistance dog training

3.1 Conduct session according to the training plan, industry standards, workplace health and safety, and animal welfare and ethics requirements

3.2 Provide clear instructions and respond to queries using appropriate terminology and tone

3.3 Monitor and manage behaviour and interactions between assistance dogs and handlers

3.4 Use operant and classical dog conditioning using verbal and/or visual cues to encourage dogs' natural instinct to bond with handler and recognise signs of human distress and respond as required

3.5 Use operant and classical dog conditioning to train assistance dogs to perform specific tasks in various settings

3.6 Build on operant and classical conditioning training to train assistance dogs to perform complex tasks by focusing on positive reinforcement and repetition

3.7 Check assistance dogs are happy and attentive throughout the training process, and stop or take a break from training if they are not

4. Manage contingencies and finalise training

4.1 Monitor signs of stress or fatigue and modify the training plan if required

4.2 Adjust the training plan to address identified behaviour or training needs and set out-of-session follow-up activities

4.3 Provide individual assistance and feedback, and discuss progress with handlers

4.4 Restore physical environment at conclusion of the session, and collect, store, clean and sanitise training equipment according to workplace requirements

4.5 Maintain records of training processes and assistance dogs' progress

5. Provide follow-up advice to handlers

5.1 Advise handlers on suitable training or enrichment activities for their assistance dog

5.2 Advise handlers on longer-term management strategies suitable for their assistance dog

5.3 Relay the importance of the monitoring and maintenance of dogs' work/life balance, condition, and physical, emotional and mental health needs to handlers

5.4 Advise on a range of clubs, shows, sports and other relevant dog activities available in the area

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Description

Reading
  • Source information about training dogs in specific and complex tasks from approved sources

Writing
  • Complete records and documents relevant to dog training using vocabulary, grammatical structure and conventions appropriate to text and audience

Oral communication

  • Provide accurate advice using language appropriate to assistance dog handlers

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMADT501 Plan and conduct assistance dog training in specific and complex tasks

Not applicable

This unit has been created to address a skill or task required by industry that is not covered by an existing unit

Newly created

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 6.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

  • used operant and classical conditioning techniques to train two handler and assistance dog teams on two different occasions in suitable methodologies and practices and response to human verbal and/or visual cues in one specific task and three complex tasks
  • maintained records of dog training processes and progress in all of these instances.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

  • legislation, regulations, codes of practice and welfare requirements that apply to dog welfare and public access
  • dog breeds and breed types, and associated characteristics and temperaments that make them desirable as assistance dogs
  • operant and classical conditioning techniques used to train assistance dogs
  • purposes of training dogs
  • underpinning theoretical principles of dog training, including:
  • associative learning – operant and classical conditioning, including extinction
  • non-associative learning – habituation and sensitisation
  • primary and secondary reinforcers
  • schedules of reinforcement
  • conditioning principles and appropriate methods of rewarding dogs for exhibiting required behaviour
  • ethical and positive training methods that reinforce natural behaviour and maintain the assistive skills and enthusiasm of the dog
  • positive reinforcement conditioning techniques and tools, including:
  • luring
  • targeting
  • capturing and shaping (prompted and free)
  • relevant dog physiology, including:
  • olfactory perception
  • eyesight
  • physical dexterity
  • considerations relating to a dog's age
  • dog-training methodologies and practices relevant to assistance dog specific and complex training, including:
  • conditioning principles and appropriate methods of rewarding specific dogs for exhibiting required behaviour
  • items and their associated odours that an assistance dog could be required to detect in its working role
  • building on tasks mastered
  • methods of assessing when dogs are ready to extend to more complex tasking
  • capabilities and limitations of assistance dogs
  • work environment in which assistance dogs could be deployed and emergencies that could arise within those environments
  • responses expected from dogs using verbal and visual cues
  • consistent application of visual and verbal cues
  • stress signals displayed by dogs, including:
  • sniffing
  • lip licking
  • individual dog body language that denotes stress
  • key features, benefits and limitations of scientific guidelines for animal trainers, including:
  • Least Intrusive Effective Behaviour Intervention (LIEBI model)
  • Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) training
  • Hierarchy of Procedures for Humane and Effective Practice
  • assistance dog training methods for specific tasks, including:
  • behaviour training as a response to predictable situations
  • awareness of how to enrich the assistance dog's physical, emotional and mental health and lifestyle needs
  • biosecurity requirements
  • communication techniques to relay dog training and welfare information to dog owners and handlers
  • workplace health and safety procedures and principles related to training assistance dogs, including:
  • manual handling of dogs
  • using training equipment safely
  • risk and control strategies
  • location of emergency equipment during training
  • equipment that may be used in dog training, including:
  • collars, head halter, martingales
  • leads and leashes
  • balance harnesses
  • working jackets, coats and identification vests
  • markers and clickers
  • modified grooming equipment
  • toys
  • treat pouches
  • personal protective equipment (PPE) for handler if required.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • skills must be demonstrated in an environment that accurately represents assistance dog training workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • equipment used in dog training as required for the Performance Evidence
  • specifications:
  • workplace policies and procedures
  • relationships:
  • assistance dog and handler training teams.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

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